The Missouri River over the weekend fell below “moderate flood stage” at St Joseph. According to readings by the U.S. Geological Survey, the river stage at St Joseph on Monday morning, September 12, was 20.67 feet. It was expected to hold steady at that level for the following week. Moderate flood stage at St Joseph is defined as 21 feet.
Water levels along the Missouri River are now low enough that officials at the 139th Airlift Wing decided to bring their aircraft back home. The News Press reports four of the unit’s ten C-130 Hercules transport aircraft are back at the wing’s headquarters at Rosecrans Airport. The other six are deployed on missions around the world.
The president and FEMA have amended the existing federal disaster declaration for counties in Northwest Missouri that have been impacted by flooding and other extreme weather since July. The declaration grants public assistance to Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Cooper, Holt, Lafayette, Platte, Ray and Saline Counties to help aid in the repair and replacement of disaster damaged facilities. The news comes on top of the original August 12 declaration that granted Individual Assistance to six counties: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette, and Platte. The Public Assistance Program provides grants to state and local governments to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters. Individual Assistance provides for people and households, including housing assistance and other needs.
The US Coast Guard announced on Friday that the stretch of the Missouri River from just north of Kansas City to Rulo Nebraska (r mm 380-498) has been reopened for boat traffic. The Coast Guard announcement warns that this stretch of river is “especially hazardous” due to swift currents. Boaters are advised to contact local authorities to ensure boat ramps are open and accesible. The river remains closed from Rulo, to the southern portion of Ponca State Park in Nebraska.
The Army Corps of Engineers announced it expects the river to return to its normal channel in the St Joseph area by mid October. Click here for more.
The director of Leavenworth County’s emergency management says this summer’s flooding is expected to cost the county’s public entities at least $4.5 million. Chuck Magaha says the total costs are expected to climb as the floodwaters recede and more damage becomes apparent.
It may not feel like it for many of you, but officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this year’s flooding was actually worse than the floods of 1993. Find out more here.
Now that river levels are dropping, the City of St Joseph can return some of its operations to normal. Find out more from the mayor here.
Two themes surfaced in a meeting between U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill area flood stakeholders: the Corps of Engineers mismanaged this year’s flood event, and they should pay for levee repairs. McCaskill fielded questions and heard comments from authorities in Atchison, Buchanan, Holt and Nodaway counties.
Holt County Clerk Kathy Kunkle says local levee districts cannot afford levee repairs, and may not have time to finish them before next spring. Kunkle cited one levee district that is faced with 16 separate breaches. She says repairs will cost about $2.5 million. Under terms of their cost-sharing arrangement, the levee district must come up with 20% of that, or $500 thousand. They currently have about $25 thousand in the bank.
“Every property in that district, every farm, every household is under water. They don’t feel like they can incur that 20% match locally,” Kunkle told McCaskill.
A meeting was planned Wednesday to discuss possible funding options with the levee districts in Holt County. Missouri Congressman Sam Graves was expected to attend.
Officials in Elwood continue their fight against interior flooding. River levels will have to drop below flood stage (17 feet) before they can open their flood gates. With the ground saturated and the gates closed, rainwater has nowhere to go. (click here for more)
Also in Doniphan County, health officials say test results on that standing water are positive for cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae. The bacterium can cause health problems and officials are warning humans and their pets to avoid contact. We have more here.
ConAgra Foods is about to close one of it’s plant in Hamburg, Iowa. The plant produces microwave popcorn. A separate bulk popcorn plant in Hamburg with remain open. Officials say 95 employees at the plant will lose their jobs when the plant shuts down October 14th. (click here)
Missouri’s Agriculture Director John Hagler says flooded farmers in Holt and Atchison will face some very tight deadlines. High water is expected to continue through September, so farmers won’t have much time to deal with flood damage and get fields ready for spring planting. (click here)
Transportation officials are putting the kibosh on a rumor. Yes, a railroad contractor did violate direct orders and drove a large construction crane over the Rulo Bridge, and, yes, that bridge was swaying during the crossing, but, no, the bridge was not damaged. Details here.
Officials with the St Joe Frontier Casino say that barring another significant rain event, or other rise in the Missouri River, they hope to reopen the gambling house by October 1st. (Find out more here)